Most wanted gang leader arrested

UK crime-fighting charity, Crimestoppers, can confirm that one of Britain's most wanted men, Mark Ronald Brown, was arrested in the Netherlands yesterday by Dutch police. [18 December 2009]

Brown, 44, from Liverpool, was wanted in connection with the importation of class A drugs and believed to be the head of an organised crime gang responsible for the importation of hundreds of kilos of heroin into the UK.

He was arrested by Amsterdam Regional Police working with the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), at a petrol station in Almere on the outskirts of Amsterdam yesterday afternoon at 2pm Dutch time.

When arrested he commented that he had felt unsafe in Spain knowing that he was wanted there, and so had moved to the Netherlands. He added that, now that he had been arrested, he was glad that it was all over.

Dave Cording, Crimestoppers' Director of Operations, said: “In the run-up to Christmas, this arrest sends the clear message to criminals that the hunt for them is still on. As Brown himself admitted, we are evidently chasing crooks out of Spain, but there is still nowhere for them to hide. A huge ‘well done' must go to SOCA and the Dutch police for such a successful working partnership.”

A SOCA spokesman commented: "This arrest is a massive endorsement for Crimestoppers operation Captura and its reputation in the criminal community. SOCA and our international partners , working together with Crimestoppers and the general public, are having a real impact on UK fugitives - making sure they realise that at any moment there could be a knock on the door followed by the clink of handcuffs."

Operation Captura identifies serious criminals wanted by UK law enforcement agencies for crimes committed in the UK. Crimestoppers and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) work closely with British Embassy Madrid, British and Spanish law enforcement agencies. The campaign highlights appeals for information on criminals who have European arrest warrants issued against them for crimes such as drug trafficking, murder and sex offences.

To view the outstanding Operation Captura appeals visit the Most Wanted section of the Crimestoppers website.

Calls to the freephone Spanish 900 555 111 telephone number are answered in the UK by Crimestoppers' call agents and a translation service is available upon request. People can also pass on information anonymously via the online Giving Information form on Crimestoppers' website.

-ENDS-

For further information contact Crimestoppers' press office.

For queries on the case and extradition please contact the SOCA press office on 0870 496 5837.

More about Operation Captura and previous arrests.

Notes to editors

Crimestoppers

• Crimestoppers is an independent charity which helps the police to solve crimes, making communities safer. It does this by operating the 24/7 telephone number 0800 555 111 which people can ring to pass on information about crimes anonymously. They can also use our ‘giving information' form via this website.
• Around 19 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers. One person every four days is charged with murder.
• Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received over a million actionable calls, resulting in over 95,000 arrests and charges. Over £110 million worth of property has been recovered and over £178 million worth of drugs.
• In 2005, Crimestoppers launched the UK's Most Wanted on its website which allows the public to view images of criminals and pass on vital information about their whereabouts. It has been highly successful with over 710 arrests to date from 3,400 thousand appeals posted.
• Crimestoppers UK was founded by Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, Chairman of Trustees. In 1988, he launched Crimestoppers in the Metropolitan Police area. Crimestoppers ‘call to action' is built on a three-way partnership between the business community, the police and the media.

Registered charity number: 1108687